Grammar Exercises: Expressing Changed Intentions and Plans

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with "was going to" or "were going to."
She _____ (to meet) her friends last night, but she had to work late. - She was going to meet
her friends last night, but she had to work late.

We _____ (to travel) to Spain this summer, but we changed our plans. - We were going to
travel to Spain this summer, but we changed our plans.

He _____ (to buy) a new car, but then he lost his job. - He was going to buy a new car, but then
he lost his job.

They _____ (to organize) a party, but they decided against it because of the weather. - They
were going to organize a party, but they decided against it because of the weather.

Exercise 2: Complete the sentences with "would" to express a changed

intention or habit.
Every summer, we _____ (to visit) our grandparents, but now they have moved. - Every
summer, we would visit our grandparents, but now they have moved.

She _____ (to take) a morning walk daily, but she has stopped doing that since the winter
started. - She would take a morning walk daily, but she has stopped doing that since the
winter started.

They _____ (to eat) out every Friday, but they're trying to save money now. - They would eat
out every Friday, but they're trying to save money now.

I _____ (to read) before bed, but I've been too busy lately. - I would read before bed, but I've
been too busy lately.

Exercise 3: Was/Were Going To - Rewrite the Sentences

I planned to clean my room, but I ran out of time. - I was going to clean my room, but I ran
out of time.

My friends and I decided to go hiking, but it started raining. - My friends and I were going to
go hiking, but it started raining.

She thought about adopting a dog, but then she moved to a no-pets apartment. - She was
going to adopt a dog, but then she moved to a no-pets apartment.

They had the intention to start their own business, but the market conditions changed. -
They were going to start their own business, but the market conditions changed.
Exercise 4: Would - Change of Habit or Intention
Every winter, he skied in the mountains, but now he's too busy with work. - Every winter,
he would ski in the mountains, but now he's too busy with work.

On weekends, she baked her own bread, but she doesn't have the time anymore. - On
weekends, she would bake her own bread, but she doesn't have the time anymore.

As a child, I read a lot of fantasy novels, but these days I prefer non-fiction. - As a child, I
would read a lot of fantasy novels, but these days I prefer non-fiction.

We always celebrated our anniversary at that special restaurant, but it has closed down. -
We would always celebrate our anniversary at that special restaurant, but it has closed
down.